Welcome to another episode of Horrible Bosses, where JVM Consultancy dives into frustrating leadership blunders—and shares how we’d flip the script with a human-centered approach. Today’s story? A metal fabrication shop, a shut door, and a blindsiding that hits right before the Christmas bells. Let’s jump in.
Tales of a Workshop: Blindsided at the Gates 🛠️
Imagine this: You’ve just come back from travelling New Zealand, ready for a fresh start. You are looking for work and head into a metal fabrication shop. The manager greets you with, “Loads of work here—just need to talk to the boss.”
So, you try. Once. Twice. Three times. Each time? “Sorry, the boss isn’t available.” Finally, the manager says, “Sure, just start Monday at 8 a.m.” No formalities, no introductions—just a shrug and an invite to jump in.
For six weeks, you show up. You work hard. You gel with the team. You contribute. You even ask for your contract in week one—just to hear radio silence. You want to connect more with the boss, but apparently the workshop staff sat, “If the door’s shut, don’t go in.” And that door? It stayed shut more often than not.
Then, the day before the Christmas party, you finally get summoned. This has to be good, right? You’re expecting a check-in. Maybe even a handshake for a job well done. Instead, the boss hits you with: “There’s no work for you anymore.”
Why? Three workers from FÁS are returning, and they need welders—not a general operative. Wait… General operative? You didn’t even know that was your role.
Oh, and those four days off you flagged at the start for jury duty and a wedding? They’re now suddenly a problem too. No notice. No explanation. No contract. Just a quick dismissal and a total gut punch one week before Christmas.
The Fallout 💥
Confidence? Gone. You start questioning everything.
Trust? Out the window. No one told you the truth.
Financial stability? Shattered. One week before Christmas, you’re scrambling for rent and bills.
You’d been told you were doing a good job. So, what changed? Nobody gave you feedback. Nobody flagged the FÁS returnees. Nobody seemed to care how this blindsiding decision would impact you
Where Did It All Go Wrong?
No Transparency: They started without a contract, without clear role expectations, and with no idea about the job’s future.
Zero Feedback: They were told they were doing well… until suddenly, they weren’t. There were no check-ins, no clarity, and no heads-up.
Closed-Door Leadership: A boss behind shut doors isn’t a leader—it’s a wall. They were kept in the dark when honest communication could’ve saved the day.
Poor Dismissal Handling: One Day Before Christmas? No notice? That’s not just bad leadership; it’s careless and cruel.
JVM Consultancy’s Take: How We’d Flip the Script 🛠️
At JVM Consultancy, we believe leadership isn’t just about productivity—it’s about people. Here’s how this situation could have been handled with care, respect, and common sense:
Set Expectations from Day One
A formal onboarding process with a clear contract, role definition, and any probation terms would’ve built trust from the get-go. Fabricator or general operative? That should never be a surprise six weeks in.
Feedback Early and Often
A weekly check-in would’ve allowed leadership to align expectations, provide updates, and share feedback—so nobody ends up blindsided.
Open Doors, Open Conversations
Leaders need to be accessible. Keeping doors shut—literally or figuratively—closes off trust and communication. If work was drying up or roles were shifting, that conversation should’ve happened weeks before.
Dignity in Difficult Decisions
Letting someone go is never easy, but there’s a right way to do it. Honest conversations, proper notice, and support for a smooth exit would’ve shown basic respect.
Create a Culture of Trust
Employees should feel safe asking questions—about their role, their future, and the team’s direction. Transparency builds trust, and trust keeps good employees motivated.
The Lesson: People Over Productivity
This story is a classic example of what happens when leadership prioritises output over people. Blindsiding someone doesn’t just ruin their week; it damages confidence, trust, and morale long-term.
Great leaders don’t shut their doors. They create open, honest environments where people feel valued, informed, and secure—even in tough times.
At JVM Consultancy, we help businesses develop leaders who get it right—leaders who value communication, trust, and transparency. Because when leadership works, teams thrive.
Let’s make blindsides a thing of the past.